Yes things change and what we need to know as hams changes. Draw a schematic as part of the FCC test? In the old days of largely homebrew, Yes. Today, why?

Know about satelites, SSB, PSK, and other digital modes? In the old days, no. Today, yes.

I see there are as many CW questions on the 2010 Amateur Extra test as there are digital mode questions. If no keyboarding test for digital then no receiving test for CW.

Incidentally, CW was the first digital mode. The prime difference is that the coding and decoding was done manually while with new digital modes they are done automatically.

Which mode is older? Voice or Code?

Couple of points....

1) Drawing schematics as part of the written test ended in the early 1960s as FCC went to all-multiple-choice written exams.

Some of us still homebrew, though. And unlike practically all other radio services, US hams can all homebrew, and in fact are encouraged to. So some familiarity with schematics makes sense.

2) As for satellites, SSB, PSK and other digital modes, the first amateur satellites went up in the early 1960s.

SSB was first used by hams in the 1930s, became popular with hams in the 1940s-50s, and by the 1960s was prominent in the exams - along with AM and FM voice modes.

PSK and other digital modes either did not exist or US hams were not allowed to use them until the early 1980s. But there were RTTY and FSK questions on the 1975 exams.

btw, the 1970s repeater rules for hams were much more complex and involved than today. Repeaters had special calls and required a special application to FCC, including things like HAAT calculations. Test questions too.

3) CW is much more popular in ham radio than digital modes. For just one example, note how many CW QSOs were made in recent Field Days compared to all digital modes combined. Both count for the same points, and with modern rigs and laptops portable digital operation isn't all that complicated.

There is still a reading test - I don't think someone who is illiterate can get an amateur license. Of course a blind person can't read a printed test, so there are accomodations, same as there were accomodations for deaf hams in the Morse Code tests.

Jee-sus Christ! Why is it that the majority of threads on eHam degenerate into pissing-and-moaning contests. If this was the NRA you would all be lining up in a corn field to take shots at the other side. Then, 20 minutes later the survivors would line with with different criteria and shoot at the person who was standing next to you earlier.

I think that by now, most hams are adults and should learn how to behave like adults. I experience better behavior when dealing with the 11 year old down the block on the 2 meter repeater. If your children or your grandchildren behaved like this you would shellac their behinds.

We wonder why people just don't connect with our hobby? Maybe it's because so many of us behave like asses.

Don't even bother responding to my post. It is not worth following this one. I made the mistake of "thinking" that the title had "something" to do with the real world.

Go to any local auto repair shop and find a certified master technician that can repair a vehicle that has no computer or eletronic ignition. Times have changed wether we like it or not. By the way I have seen a few mechanics that have never seen ignition points!

Just my 2 cents and yes I am a mechanic that can do both old and new. 73 Mike

Go to any local auto repair shop and find a certified master technician that can repair a vehicle that has no computer or eletronic ignition. Times have changed wether we like it or not. By the way I have seen a few mechanics that have never seen ignition points!

I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

Cars pretty much stopped using points and carburetors 30 years or so ago. They had to, in order to meet economy and pollution requirements. As a side benefit, they need much less maintenance.

Amateur Radio, OTOH, is very different. You won't find many people driving cars 30 years old, but there are plenty of 30 year old ham rigs still in use.

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